| Main Ref. | Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen, 1966 |
| Mode | dioecism |
| Fertilization | external |
| Mating type | polygyny |
| Spawning frequency | no obvious seasonal peak |
| Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
| Batch spawner | Ref. |
| Reproductive guild |
nonguarders brood hiders |
| Parental Care | none |
| Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Oviparous (Ref. 205). Social and mating systems of this species are based upon female territoriality where polygyny results from males defending females occupying a certain territory (female-defense polygyny) (Ref. 55082). All sexually mature females are territorial females (Ref. 55082). Neither parent guards the eggs which are laid in a nest located in the female's territory (Ref. 46142). During breeding, territorial females perform the 'caudal flexing with swollen abdomen display' to signal courtship and readiness to spawn. The male acknowledges with no courtship or color displays but rather by visiting the sites frequently. The territorial female then begins pecking at the substrate in preparation for egg laying. The female initiates the spawning event by pressing her abdomen into the prepared site. The territorial male quickly lays his body across her caudal peduncle and both remained in this position for 5-10 sec. The male swims away after leaving the female beating her anal fin rapidly over the nest site to ensure fertilization of the eggs and to push the eggs deep into the algal substrate (Ref. 46142). All territorial males spawn with territorial females, depriving the bachelor males of the chance to copulate which nevertheless don't interfere with the spawning between the territorial male and females (Ref. 46142). |
| Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |